A Ryerson Guide to Acing Finals: 5 study spots you should know about

The month of April is bittersweet. Spring has finally come, golden rays of sunlight are filtering through the branches of sprouting trees and the weather is flirting with the warmth of the incoming summer. April also means exams—and for some of us, lots of exams. I’ve always found it difficult to study at home with so many distractions. I mean, Netflix is just one button away. If you’re looking for an A on your next final, keep reading: I’m about to impart to you some Ryerson hacks.

PAGE ONE

Page One Café is a mistake at first glance. Tucked haphazardly next to a warehouse garage on Mutual Street, the indie Toronto café looks misplaced. The café was once a storage unit, but has since metamorphosed into a coffee shop that doubles as a cocktail bar, offering a selection of craft beers and mixed drinks. The décor is reminiscent of an upscale university dorm—a lofty space occupied by wooden desks and shelves with typewriters and books. The shop is relatively quiet—the muted clamor of Ryerson students was interrupted only by the murmur of Chance the Rapper’s “Pusha Man” playing over the café speakers when I last went. If you’re searching for a place to put the finishing touches on any essays or leftover assignments, hit up Page One.

ROGERS COMMUNICATION CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR

If you can plug your nose long enough to skulk through the unbearable scent that populates the north end of Gould Street, you may arrive at the Rogers Communication Centre, home to Ryerson’s fifteen acclaimed programs in media and electronic communications. The second floor of the RCC is bright and airy, complete with giant windows spanning the sides of soaring walls lining the hallway. During the daytime, the RCC is typically busy. But get there after 6 p.m. and it’s deserted as the Sahara. If you’re lucky, the secret editing suites will be vacant, where you’ll have a peaceful room all to yourself until as late as you need. Just head to the Equipment Distribution Centre to rent out a key and let your studying begin.

STUDENT LEARNING CENTRE, 7TH FLOOR

Okay, so you might be rolling your eyes, like, “I’m so sick of studying at the SLC. It’s sooo loud. I can never get my sh—uh, my stuff—done.” Well, you’re wrong. The SLC’s 7th floor—also known as “the Forest”—is more underrated than a great pair of jeans. Silent as a forest, the floor’s towering windows out into the world outside flood the room with sunlight, filling your studious little body with just the right amount of Vitamin D. Grab a couch by the window or pull up a chair at one of the dozen open tables. If someone gets too loud, channel your inner RiRi and give them that “this-is-the-quiet-floor-check-your-volume” kind of glare. They’ll quiet right down and you’ll both continue on with your productive study days. Exams are around the corner; we can’t afford to play around.

EGGY’S SUMMIT

You may have never set foot in the Mattamy Athletic Centre. I don’t blame you if you haven’t. First of all, it seems so far away from campus you may just die of dehydration if you need to trek through the brutal winds to Carlton and Church streets. Second, sports just might not be your cup of tea/coffee/wine. But if you can move past those two obstacles, you’ll be dearly rewarded—the MAC third floor has a secret, intimate room overlooking the Coca Cola court. The 800 square foot space can hold up to 40 people at a time—and it’s free for Ryerson students. If you feel like taking a study break, just peer through the glass at the basketball players bouncing across the court below like pinballs. But really, you should be studying. Finals are in like two weeks (sorry to remind you).

TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

If eight levels of study space aren’t enough for you, consider lowering your ambitions. The towering Ted Rogers School of Management may be a little intimidating, but with a map and some courage, I have no doubt you’ll find the perfect place to study for that final. Every floor at TRSM offers a myriad of tables, couches and study rooms for students to study from. While it may get a little loud around midday, try again near the evening hours for an indefinitely serene reading area. Book a room in advance for your own whiteboard and a glorious view of the sprawling city below. Ted Rogers has the key to a passing grade.